I’m watching the Zimmerman trial and the commentators are saying the prosecution is not making their case for a second degree murder charge. Well exactly what needs to be proven and if they don’t meet that threshold, then what?
The jury could decide that Zimmerman is:
- Guilty of Murder in the Second Degree
OR
- Guilty of Manslaughter
OR
- Not Guilty of Everything
There is another possible outcome.
The burden of proof lies on the State to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. The verdict of the jurors must be unanimous, meaning all six must agree on the same verdict.
If they cannot all agree, then that results in a hung jury.
